[spooneralmighty]

Well Guys I just bought my first home and it has a 2 car garage. I have always liked the look of the RCSB 99-06 pick ups.... now to some of you guys this is a simple easy project. But it is kind of my first one here. I have always played with the LS style motors and currently have a 06 gto.

What I'm more specifically looking for is a 99-02 Chevy, or a gmc nose.

If I go chevy I want to do the HD conversion and if I do the GMC I want the 03-up bumper/grille.

I guess my question is, Would I be better off getting a Auto with the 5.3l already in it and converting the Auto to a manual. Is it better to use a T5 trans out of a pickup or a T56 out of a trans am/camaro. Also do I need anything special to do that besides changing tuning?

Or would I be better off getting a 6cyl with a stick in it and dropping a 5.3l in it. I would think the wiring at the cab would be the same so all i would need is the motor, mounts, engine wiring harness, and computer and it should bolt right in? Of course I would need computer tuning as well.

So any suggestions or opinions would be great. Looking to sell my daily driver (vw tdi) for this project. I figured a 5.3l stick in such a small truck would net mid 20's fuel efficiency. Maybe thats wishful thinking..... Also looking to do a 3/5 drop so I dont have to notch the frame

 

[bigblue4x4]

start with a 4.8 5spd if you can find one
it will be easier then starting with a 4.3 or a auto
they never had a T5,they were NV3500's

 

[spooneralmighty]

oh so they made a 4.8l 5 speed 2wd? i wasnt aware of this.... this may be like finding a unicorn

 

[xlcooplx]

Yes they did. Actually, in 99 they even made a few 5.3L with 5 speeds. Good luck finding that though. Do some searching. There are a few guys who have successfully swapped T56s into their trucks. I know that one of them (Ben) ended up switching back to an auto though. Search 1TrueSS and FullThrottleDan to read up on their swaps.